Yes, bad things happen to believers, and they are part of God's sovereign plan.
Even the apostle Paul, chosen by God to carry the Gospel, was told he would suffer for the Lord's name (Acts 9). Les Feldick shows from Scripture that Paul's suffering included persecution, beatings, shipwrecks, and sickness, yet he never gave up. God has purposes in allowing believers to suffer, even when we don't understand why.
Acts 9:15-16 — This verse directly answers the question by showing that God chose Paul to suffer for His name's sake.
The Bible records that the apostle Paul, a chosen vessel of the Lord, was told by God that he would suffer great things for the Lord's name (Acts 9:16). Paul's own writings in 2 Corinthians 11 list his trials: beaten with rods, stoned, shipwrecked, in perils of waters, robbers, his own countrymen, heathen, in city, wilderness, sea, false brethren, weariness, pain, watchings, hunger, thirst, fastings, cold, nakedness, and the daily care of the churches (2 Corinthians 11:25-28). Romans 8:18 says, "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us." This indicates that present sufferings are temporary and overshadowed by future glory. Paul also experienced fear and anxiety (1 Corinthians 2:3) and was perplexed but not forsaken (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).
Les Feldick teaches that suffering is part of the believer's experience, even for the most committed. He emphasizes that Paul was not only chosen to preach but also to suffer for the Lord's name (Clip 3). He points out that all the apostles, except John, died martyr's deaths (Clip 2). Les explains that Paul's suffering was not just from enemies but also from apparent sickness (Clip 7). Despite suffering, Paul never gave up, and Les encourages believers to trust God's sovereignty and purposes even when they question 'why?' (Clip 7). He also notes that American believers know little of the suffering that many Christians face (Clip 5).
Paul suffered in many ways: he was beaten with rods three times, stoned once, shipwrecked three times, and spent a night and a day in the deep (2 Corinthians 11:25). He faced perils from waters, robbers, his own countrymen, heathen, in the city, in the wilderness, in the sea, and among false brethren (2 Corinthians 11:26). He experienced weariness, painfulness, watchings, hunger, thirst, fastings, cold, and nakedness (2 Corinthians 11:27). Les also mentions that Paul was in constant fear of how he would be received (Clip 6) and that he was persecuted and driven from city to city (Clip 7).
God told Ananias that Paul would suffer for His name's sake (Acts 9:16). Les points out that Paul's suffering was part of his calling to the Gentiles (Clip 3). Paul's hardships were used to further the Gospel, and he never slowed down in his fervor despite suffering (Clip 3). Les emphasizes that God has purposes in suffering, even if we don't see them (Clip 7).
Les encourages believers not to give up or throw in the towel (Clip 7). Despite being perplexed, Paul never gave up because he knew God had purposes (Clip 7). Believers should trust God's sovereignty and continue serving Him, as Paul did (Clip 3). The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come (Romans 8:18, Clip 5).
Paul's Suffering from Judaizers
Les explains that Paul suffered because of false teachers (Judaizers) who followed him, undermining his Gospel.
Paul's Hardships in Ministry
Les enumerates Paul's physical trials—beatings, shipwrecks, perils—showing that believers can face severe suffering.
Apostles' Martyrdom
Les notes that all the apostles except John died martyr's deaths, demonstrating that suffering is common for God's servants.
Suffering for the Lord's Name
Les teaches that Paul was chosen to suffer for the Lord's name, and he did so willingly.
Paul's Suffering in His Own Words
Les cites Paul's own listing of his trials in 2 Corinthians 11 to show the extent of his suffering.
Suffering Compared to Glory
Les says that Paul's suffering was real but incomparably less than the glory to come for believers.
Paul's Fear of Rejection
Les reveals that Paul lived in fear and trembling about how he would be received, showing emotional suffering.
Perplexed but Not Forsaken
Les explains that Paul was perplexed and questioned 'why?' but never gave up, trusting God's purposes.
Acts 9:16: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
This verse shows God's plan for Paul included suffering from the very beginning.
2 Corinthians 11:25: Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
Paul lists his physical trials, demonstrating that believers can endure severe suffering.
2 Corinthians 11:26: In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
Paul continues his list of dangers, showing the constant threat to his life.
2 Corinthians 11:27: In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
Paul describes his physical hardships, including hunger, cold, and sleeplessness.
Romans 8:18: For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us.
Paul compares present suffering with future glory, encouraging believers.
According to Les Feldick, God has purposes in allowing suffering. Paul was told he would suffer for the Lord's name (Acts 9:16), and Les emphasizes that God's sovereignty includes allowing hardships for His own reasons.
Paul's suffering was part of his calling to carry the Gospel to the Gentiles. Les points out that Paul was chosen to suffer, as seen in Acts 9:16, and he endured persecution, beatings, shipwrecks, and sickness, yet he never gave up.
Les encourages believers to trust God's sovereignty and not give up. Paul was perplexed but did not throw in the towel (Clip 7). Believers can also look forward to the glory that will be revealed (Romans 8:18).
Watch the Teaching: Why Does God Let Bad Things Happen? — 2 Corinthians 1 Explained